GRAND RAPIDS – On the same day that former MSU doctor Larry Nassar received an effective life sentence for sexual crimes, federal prosecutors refused to say whether they are or would investigate the university’s handling of the allegations.

More than 140 women and girls have filed federal lawsuits against Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics and Twistars, a Dimondale gymnastics club where Nassar often worked. At news conferences Thursday, they said those organizations failed to protect them and have demanded independent investigations.

But Andrew Birge, acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, refused to say at his own press conference Thursday whether he will investigate MSU. He repeatedly said he cannot comment on any investigation unless charges are pending.

“Today we’re here to talk about the reckoning for Mr. Nassar," Birge said. "I think this case also tells us that anyone who has information about a crime should let us know.”

MSU disclosed recently that its own police department and the FBI investigated whether any university employees besides Nassar committed crimes. Those findings were turned over to Birge’s office. Birge also refused to answer questions about those findings on Thursday.

Birge’s stance mirrored that of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who is prosecuting Nassar on state charges in Ingham and Eaton counties. Nassar's 60 years will be served consecutively to whatever sentences he is given on the 10 counts of first-degree sexual assault to which he has pleaded guilty in those counties.

Earlier this week, Schuette asked MSU to release the findings of its internal investigation into the way university officials handled the allegations. The university responded to Schuette on Wednesday, but Schuette refused to say whether or not he'll independently investigate MSU's handling of Nassar.

Several of Nassar’s accusers have questioned the validity of the university’s internal investigation, since it is being handled by Dunlap’s department, which reports to MSU President Lou Anna Simon, and by outside attorneys paid by the university.

“Allegations have been made against the university, claiming it is engaged in a cover-up by university administrators. MSU unequivocally denies this accusation,” MSU spokesman Jason Cody said in a written statement Thursday. “Moreover, MSU and its external counsel have consistently promised if it were to find any employee knew of and acquiesced in Nassar’s misconduct, it would immediately be reported to law enforcement … If any other law enforcement agency would like to conduct additional criminal inquiries, we will cooperate fully.”

Some university employees already have been hit by the Nassar scandal. MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages retired in February and MSU physician Brooke Lemmen resigned the following month amid questions about handling of issues related to Nassar.

Several of Nassar's accusers continue to demand that others at MSU be held accountable. Five of them, who have united under the social media campaign #MeTooMSU and are part of the lawsuits, said at a news conference near the Grand Rapids federal courthouse on Thursday that Nassar's sentence shouldn't be the end.

Jessica Smith, who said Nassar assaulted her when she was 17, said she was grateful for Thursday's sentence but was "not comforted" that only one person went to jail while others at MSU celebrate football and basketball.

“He is not the only one that allowed this to happen," she said. "Where is the justice being served for everyone that allowed that to happen?”

Also on Thursday, state Sen. Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, said she plans to write a letter to Simon by week's end, calling on the university to acknowledge Nassar’s victims, recognize its failings and commit to fixing them. She, too, is seeking release of MSU’s internal investigation, which is led by former federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, now with the Chicago firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Not having that report is holding up potential changes to state law to better protect victims, O’Brien said.

“We need to see the internal investigation,” she said.

O’Brien met with women who were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar during purported medical procedures.

“My takeaway was that Michigan can do better and has to do better,” O’Brien said.

One way to do that would be to expand the statute of limitations related to criminal sexual conduct against minors, O’Brien said. A bill introduced earlier this year by state Sen. Steven Bieda, D-Warren, would do that, though O’Brien said other changes to the law are being researched.

Legislative leaders told the State Journal earlier this year that they may be unable to force reforms on MSU because the state constitution puts certain universities under the authority of elected boards.